How do I find a classic style that works for my life?

[Winterjoy]

Just that really. I'm sick of giving time & energy to clothes and would love to find a few brands that offer classic/stylish peices I can replenish from as necessary - there are too many throwaway options on the high street and it's so overwhelming!! Bonus points for ethical/environmentally friendly companies 🙂

Workwear - my style previously has been classic millenial officewear e.g. fitted/tailored, heels etc but I now work in a relaxed (and much younger!) environment and feel lost style wise. I like this uniqlo outfit but when I put on anything similar I feel like a baggy mess (I'm pear shape not waif-like so not sure of that's throwing it off?). What else can I try? (P.S. Thank you in advance to anyone who is going to suggest wide leg trousers with a silk blouse, but that was my mum's work 'uniform' and I'm not ready to be her just yet!)

Casual - I've lived in black jeggings and jumpers to avoid thinking about clothes but I just don't feel great in them. What can I buy instead that is easy to wear, can be mixed and matched, and looks/feels stylish? Again, is there a particular brand to look at?

But it feels like the consensus is very traditional office wear, and that's fair enough

No it isn't. That's not what the thread was saying at all.

I work in London and in the City, suits and office wear, but where I am its the equivalent of a man's T-shirt/polo shirt and chinos/coloured jeans with casual shoes.

One of my colleagues is in marketing and she'd typically wear cropped non-denim jeans or chinos with loafers and a nice top, or a dress with a little cardigan and light colour daps. Long wavy hair, usually in an updo.
The admin manager wears something like a day dress with sandals/ankle boots, or skinnies, ankle boots and jumper. Curly bob.
Both of them have long legs, which I think makes a difference.
(wouldn't normally judge them on looks but both seem to look right. They're both really great)

The rest are hybrid so I don't see them much. Mostly have straightened hair and wear hoodies/jumper/sweatshirt/long sleeved tops.

Thank you, the OP to this linked thread is exactly what I'm hoping to do - get rid of all the crap fast fashion and have a small selection of well fitted, classy and versatile peices. I'm going to read through and take notes (and hopefully put a plan of action together).

My hope is that giving some extra time now to build the foundation will mean in the long run I can give significantly less time/energy to clothes. This month was the push I needed to tackle this - I've lost so much time trying to pull together outfits for a work event, with multiple shopping trips & online orders (plus many returns!). I just can't be bothered with it! If I had a very intentionally curated wardrobe already in place, I could've just pulled from there - no stress, no wasted time, just open the wardrobe and take out what I need 🙂

@Winterjoy completely agree. I look at clothes now in terms of where would I wear that and what would I wear it with. And I look at the things I have already to see what I need to make them into an outfit I'm happy with.

A note of caution, @Winterjoy … I’m one of those people who rarely has to run around online to find an outfit for an imminent event - but that’s because I continuously spend time and energy on browsing and updating my awareness of what’s available, and (where possible) I buy when I see something perfect.

It is an immensely satisfying way to live. I definitely would have to buy new outfits for a grand spring wedding or a Caribbean cruise, but for normal everyday life: lunches, conferences, house parties, cocktail bars, work trips, gallery openings or weekends away, I know I have clothes in my wardrobe that I love, fit into and that work for a wide variety of eventualities.

But it’s not one big shop and you’re done for the next few years. At least, not for me.

Thank you - and I know of course that even high quality fabrics will wear out/look worn eventually and have to be replaced.

I'm thinking that if I can even just pull together a 'template' wardrobe, so to speak, I can then replace with like-for-like items that I quickly/easily recognise as a key part of my wardrobe when I see them, rather than shopping randomly/frantically for specific events and ending up with a nice single outfit, but a wardrobe that isn't cohesive overall.

Same here. I didn't see that "I'm finally winning in the pursuit of elegance" thread and didn't read all of it but it sounded like a joyless approach.

I last shopped for a specific event in 2017. If you count theatre, nights out and restaurants as "specific events" as well as the obvious weddings , parties and holidays I go to one at least once a week.

I remember that 'pursuit of elegance' thread very well because I found it a real head scratcher. There are clearly posters who consider it one of the best threads there's ever been on here and yet, for me, it made the process of acquiring a wardrobe feel about as enjoyable as revising for an exam. I hope it doesn't sound like I'm belittling that thread because that's not my intention. I do think though that it demonstrates how there are two very different camps on this board.

No wonder there are no many misunderstandings! It's tomayto / tomahto.

The Uniqlo outfit in the OP looks perfectly nice for workwear imo. Some people on here recommend places that are extortionately expensive and would look totally out of place in my workplace. I don't know anybody who dresses in those sort of brands.

I tend to wear jumper dresses from Phase Eight; mini or tube skirts and merino turtle neck or crew neck (latter from Marks); tweedy wide legged trousers with the merino jumpers as before; slouchy jersey blazer which I wear with straight legged trousers; I've also got a couple of trouser suits from Marks. In the summer, I tend to wear midi dresses and little cardigans.

I think also having the correct wardrobe/drawer space and organisation is key, so you can easily see what you have

That's a good point. I bought an open rail and have a free hanging shelf on it, so I put whatever my Minimalist current wardrobe for the season (about 10-12 outfits) is on there.

Everything else (other seasons, occasional wear) lives in a wardrobe, with sports and nightwear in drawers.

Took a lot of decluttering but everything is hard working in my wardrobe. Not saying I'm particularly elevated or stylish but I actually think getting the basics right - owning less and organising it - is the first foundation, then the basic capsule then purposeful shopping. Obviously the parameters depend on available time and lifestyle.

There's also an argument for buying multiples of the same item. I've started to do that with jeans.

I don't think you mean 'multiples' in the way I do, @noobiedoobie
I do have 2 or 3 multiples of things I wear for everyday.

I'm a keen charity shopper and have multiples of favourite finds. It's great when fashion declares that a jeans style is passe. I've had brilliant jeans for next to nothing.

I desperately need to declutter.

Think classic French woman style, then stick to two colours, with added contrast
it can be dressed up or down
good long line jacket etc
can be t shirt under or crisp white cotton
its about good fit
s

When I saw the uniqlo outfit I knew. I'm the same. I bought a similar outfit from M&S and it made me look 100. 🤣

Ive got the opposite problem, big boobs, but these fussy cardigans do not do it for me.

Ive settled on a bit more colour as i think monochrome was very ageing on me. I have a pair of thin petrol blue tweed trousers from whitestuff plus a red tank top cardigan from seasalt.

It's a start!

The 90s are back...
So uniqlo outfit appropriate.
Wear some cool accessories..jewellery etc